LEGALTERMS A

 AKA: "Also known as".: Used to list aliases or another name, or another spelling of a name used
by a person.
 Accelerated Rehabilitation: Also called AR. A program that gives persons charged with a crime or
motor vehicle violation for the first time a second chance. The person is placed on probation for
up to two years. If probation is completed satisfactorily, the charges are dismissed.
 Acknowledgment: The signature of a clerk or attorney certifying that the person signing the
document has signed by his or her free act and for the purposes set forth therein.
 Acquittal: A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the
evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
 Active Judge: A judge in the full-time service of the court. Compare to senior judge.
 Action: Also called a case or lawsuit. A civil judicial proceeding where one party sues another for a
wrong done, or to protect a right or to prevent a wrong.
 Adjournment: Postponement of a court session until another time or place.
 Adjudication: A decision or sentence imposed by a judge.
 Adjudicatory Hearing: Juvenile court proceeding to determine whether the allegations made in a
petition are true and whether the child/youth should be subject to orders of the court.
 Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO): The federal agency responsible for
collecting court statistics, administering the federal courts' budget, and performing many other
administrative and programmatic functions, under the direction and supervision of the Judicial
Conference of the United States.
 Admissible: A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil
and criminal cases.
 Adult Court Transfer: The transfer of juveniles who are at least fourteen years old to regular
criminal dockets in Geographical Area or Judicial District courts. Also involves the transfer from a
Juvenile Detention Center to the State Department of Correction.
 Adult Probation: A legal status, applied to people 16 years of age and older, who have been
convicted of a crime and placed under the supervision of a probation officer for a period of time
set by the court.
 Adversary Proceeding: A lawsuit arising in or related to a bankruptcy case that begins by filing a
complaint with the court, that is, a "trial" that takes place within the context of a bankruptcy
case.
 Affirmation: Declaring something to be true under the penalty of perjury by a person who will not
take an oath for religious or other reasons.
 Affirmed: In the practice of the court of appeals, it means that the court of appeals has concluded
that the lower court decision is correct and will stand as rendered by the lower court.
 Affidavit: A written statement made under oath, swearing to the truth of the contests of a
document.
 Alcohol Education Program: A pre-trial program for first time offenders charged with driving a
 motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
 Alford Doctrine: A plea in a criminal case in which the defendant does not admit guilt, but agrees
that the state has enough evidence against him or her to get a conviction. Allows the defendant
to enter into a plea bargain with the state. If the judge accepts the Alford Plea, a guilty finding is
made on the record.
 Alimony: Money a court requires one spouse to pay the other spouse for support before and/or
after the divorce is granted. If you do not ask for alimony at the final hearing, you can never get it
in the future.
 Allegation: Saying that something is true. The assertion, declaration or statement of a party in a
case, made in a pleading.
 Alternate Juror: A juror selected as a substitute in case another juror must leave the jury panel.
 Alternative Detention Program: Programs operated by service providers under the Office of
Alternative Sanctions used to detain juveniles instead of in a Juvenile Detention Center.
 Alternative Dispute Resolution: Also called ADR. Any method used to resolve disputes other than
traditional trial proceedings. For example, mediation. ADR programs speed up the disposition of
civil cases.
 Alternative Incarceration Center: Also called AIC. A community based program that provides
monitoring, supervision and services to people who would otherwise be incarcerated.
 Alternative Sanctions: Criminal punishment that is less restrictive than incarceration.
 Amicus Curiae brief: A Latin term meaning “friend of the court.” An Amicus Curiae brief is filed by
someone who is not a party to a case but has an interest in its outcome. A person who wants to
file an amicus curiae brief usually has to get the court’s permission to do so.
 Annulment: A court order declaring that a marriage is invalid.
 Answer: A court document, or pleading, in a civil case, by which the defendant responds to the
plaintiff's complaint.
 Appeal: Asking a higher court to review the decision or sentence of a trial court because the
lower court made an error.
 Appeal Bond: Money paid to the court while taking an appeal to cover costs and damages to the
other party, if the appeal is not successful.
 Appearance: The official court form filed with the court clerk which tells the court that you are
representing yourself in a lawsuit or criminal case or that an attorney is representing you. All
court notices and calendars will be mailed to the address listed on the form. When a defendant in
a civil case files an appearance, the person is submitting to the court’s jurisdiction.
 Appellant: The party appealing a decision or judgment to a higher court.
 Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgment of a lower
court (trial court) or tribunal. For example, the U.S. circuit courts of appeals review the decisions
of the U.S. district courts.
 Appellee: The party against whom an appeal is taken.
 Arbitration: Submitting a case or dispute to designated parties for a decision, instead of using a
judge.
 Arraignment: The first court appearance of a person accused of a crime. The person is advised of
his or her rights by a judge and may respond to the criminal charges by entering a plea. Usually
happens the morning after a person is arrested.
 Arrest: When a person is taken into custody by a police officer and charged with a crime.
 Arrearages: Money for alimony and/or child support, which is overdue and unpaid.
 Article III Judge: A federal judge who is appointed for life, during "good behavior," under Article III
of the Constitution. Article III judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the
Senate.
 Assets: Property of all kinds, including real and personal, tangible and intangible.
 Assignment List: A printed list of cases to be presented to the court for hearing.
 Assistant Attorney General: An attorney who represents a state agency in civil cases.
 Assume: An agreement to continue performing duties under a contract or lease.
 Attachment: A lien on property or assets to hold it to pay or satisfy any final judgment.
 Attorney of Record: Attorney whose name appears in the permanent records or files of a case.
 Automatic Orders: Court orders that take effect when a divorce or custody case is started.
 Automatic Stay: An injunction that automatically stops lawsuits, foreclosures, garnishments, and
most collection activities against the debtor the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed.

B
 Bail: Also called Bond. Money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a
defendant, to ensure that the defendant will return to court.
 Bail Bondsperson: A person who lends money to a defendant to pay for bail.
 Bail Commissioner: A state-appointed person who may set the amount of bond for persons
detained at a police station prior to arraignment in court, and who recommends to the court the
amount of bond that should be set for the defendant on each criminal case.
 Bankruptcy: A legal procedure for dealing with debt problems of individuals and businesses;
specifically, a case filed under one of the chapters of title 11 of the United States Code (the
Bankruptcy Code).
 Bankruptcy Administrator: An officer of the Judiciary serving in the judicial districts of Alabama
and North Carolina who, like the United States trustee, is responsible for supervising the
administration of bankruptcy cases, estates, and trustees; monitoring plans and disclosure
statements; monitoring creditors' committees; monitoring fee applications; and performing other
statutory duties.
 Bankruptcy Court: The bankruptcy judges in regular active service in each district; a unit of the
district court.
 Bankruptcy State: All interests of the debtor in property at the time of the bankruptcy filing. The
estate technically becomes the temporary legal owner of all of the debtor's property.
 Bankruptcy Judge: A judicial officer of the United States district court who is the court official with
decision-making power over federal bankruptcy cases.
 Bankruptcy Petition: A formal request for the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws. (There is
an official form for bankruptcy petitions.)
 Bar: Refers to attorneys as a group.
 Best Interest of the Child: The standard a judge uses to decide custody and visitation issues.
 Bench Trial: A trial without a jury, in which the judge serves as the fact-finder.
 Bench Warrant: Court papers issued by the judge, "from the bench," for the arrest of a person.
 Bond: Also called bail. Money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a
defendant, to ensure that the defendant will return to court. There are two kinds of bonds
 Non-financial bonds:
a) Non-surety bond where the defendant's signature alone guarantees the amount of bond and
the defendant is not required to post any property or retain the services of a professional bail
bondsperson as collateral.
b) Promise to appear.
Surety bond: The court requires cash, real estate or a professional bail bondpersons signature as
collateral before releasing the defendant back into the community. (The court may allow the
defendant to post ten percent of the bond in cash to secure his or her release.)
 Bond Forfeiture (calling the Bond): If the defendant fails to appear in court as scheduled, the
judge may order the bond forfeited (paid to the state) and the defendant rearrested.
 Bond Review: A hearing for a judge to decide if the defendant’s bond amount needs to be
changed.
 Bondsman: A surety; one who has put up cash or property as collateral before a defendant may
be released.
 Brief: A written document prepared by a lawyer or party on each side of a dispute and filed with
the court in support of their arguments.
 Broken Down Irretrievably: The most common reason for granting a divorce. It means there is no
hope of the husband and wife getting back together again. Also known as "no-fault" divorce.
 Burden of Proof: The duty to prove disputed facts. In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the
burden of proving his or her case. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proving
the defendant's guilt. (See standard of proof.)
 Business Bankruptcy: A bankruptcy case in which the debtor is a business or an individual
involved in business and the debts are for business purposes.

C
 Calendar: A list of court cases scheduled for a specific date and time; the civil and family court
docket.
 Calendar Call: The calling of cases scheduled for the day, usually done at the beginning of each
court day.
 Capias Mittimus: A civil arrest warrant used to get a person physically into court to respond to a
specific case or claim.
 Capital Felony: A criminal offense in which the death penalty may be imposed. Effective April 25,
2012, this term was replaced in the General Statutes with murder with special circumstances.
(C.G.S. 53a-54b).
 Capital Offense: A crime punishable by death.
 Case: A lawsuit or action in a court.
 Case Conference: A meeting scheduled by the court to review the case.
 Case File: The court file containing papers submitted in a case.
 Case Flow Coordinator: A person who keeps track of your case and supervises the scheduling of
hearings and trials.
 Case Law: The law as established in previous court decisions. A synonym for legal precedent. Akin
to common law, which springs from tradition and judicial decisions.
 Caseload: The number of cases handled by a judge or a court.
 Cause of Action: A legal claim.
 Central Transportation Unit: Persons in the Division of Juvenile Detention Services who provide
safe and secure transportation services for juveniles detained at Juvenile Detention Centers,
Alternative Detention Program and Girls’ Detention Program.
 Certify: To testify in writing; to make known or establish as a fact.
 CGS: Abbreviation for Connecticut General Statutes External Link - You are leaving the CT Judicial
Branch website
 Challenge: Rejecting a potential juror.
 Charge: Formal accusation of a crime.
 Charge to Jury: In trial practice, an address delivered by the court to the jury at the close of the
case instructing the jury as to what principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision. Civil
| Criminal
 Chattels: All property except real property; personal property. For example: jewelry, clothing,
furniture, and appliances.
 Child: Any person under the age of sixteen (16) years of age.
 Child Support: Money paid by a parent to help meet the financial needs of a child.
 The "Chip Smith Charge" is an instruction to deadlocked jurors in civil and criminal cases, urging
those jurors who disagree with the majority vote to reexamine the majority views in an effort to
reach a unanimous verdict.
 CIP: Children in Placement- a voluntary program in Juvenile Court, which monitors neglect, cases.
 Civil Action: A lawsuit other than a criminal case usually filed in a Judicial District courthouse.
Includes family actions (divorces, child support, etc) and small claims cases, although these are
both separately designated.
 Claim: In civil cases, the statement of relief desired.
 Classification and Program Officer: Also called CPO. A person who provides classification,
program, counseling and recreational services to detained juveniles. May attend certain court
hearings in Juvenile Matters and provide reports.
 Common Law: Laws that develop through case decisions by judges. Not enacted by legislative
bodies.
 Community Service: Work that convicted defendants are required to perform in order to repay
the community for the harm caused to the community by the crime.
 Community Services Coordinator: The person who refers a defendant to community service work
and supervises the defendant’s completion of that work.
 Community Service Labor Program: Also called CSLP. A community service program for persons
charged with drug offenses. Upon successful completion of the community service sentence, the
criminal case is dismissed.
 Complaint: A legal document that tells the court what you want, and is served with a summons
on the defendant to begin the case.
 Complex Litigation: A specialized docket designed for complex civil cases, where one judge hears
the case from beginning to end. Criteria includes: multiple parties, large amounts of money,
lengthy trial or complex legal issues.
 Conditional Discharge: A disposition, in criminal cases, where the defendant must satisfy certain
court-ordered conditions instead of a prison term.
 Contempt of Court: A finding that someone disobeyed a court order. Can also mean disrupting
court, for example, by being loud or disrespectful in court.
 Continuance: The adjournment or postponement of a court case to another day.
 Continuance Date: Date on which the case will next be heard in court.
 Contract: A legally enforceable agreement between two or more persons or parties.
 Conviction: To be found guilty of committing a crime.
 Costs: Expenses in prosecuting or defending a case in court. Usually does not include attorney’s
 fees.
 Count: The different parts of a complaint, which could each be a basis or grounds for the lawsuit.
 Counter Claim: A claim by the defendant in a civil action that the defendant is entitled to
damages or other relief from the plaintiff.
 Court-Appointed Attorney: An attorney who is asked by the court (judge) to either represent a
party to the case, or to serve in some other capacity that the case requires.
 Court Clerk: The person who maintains the official court record of your case. The court clerks’
office receives all court papers and assigns hearing dates.
 Court Interpreter: The person who translates court hearings from English to another language.
Provided at state expense in all criminal cases and in cases enforcing child support orders, if
requested. No interpreter is available for divorce or any other civil case.
 Court Monitor: The person who prepares a written record of the court hearing for a fee, if
requested, from audiotapes made during the hearing.
 Court Reporter: The person who records everything said during the court hearing on a
stenograph machine and prepares a written record for a fee, if requested.
 Court Services Officer: A person who assists the judge and oversees cases as they go through the
court.
 Court Trial: Trial by a judge, rather than by a jury.
 Crime Victim Compensation Program: Awards money to crime victims and their families for
medical, mental health, dental, funeral expenses, lost wages and loss of support.
 Cross-Examination: Questioning by a party or the attorney of an adverse party or a witness.
 Custody: A court order deciding where a child will live and how decisions about the child will be
made. Parents may ask for any custody arrangement that they believe is in the best interest of
their child.
 Custody Affidavit: A sworn statement containing facts about a child involved in a case, including
full name of the child, date of birth, current and past residences and other information as may be
required by law.

D
 Damages: Money a party receives as compensation for a legal wrong.
 Day Incarceration Center: Also called DIC. A community based program that provides monitoring,
supervision and services to people who would otherwise be incarcerated. Day Incarceration
Center clients are supervised during the daytime hours, seven days per week.
 Declaration: An unsworn statement of facts made by a party to the transaction, or by one who
has an interest in the facts recounted.
 Default: To fail to respond or answer to the plaintiff’s claims by filing the required court
document; usually an Appearance or an Answer.
 Defendant: In civil cases, the person who is given court papers, also called a respondent. In
criminal cases, the person who is arrested and charged with a crime.
 Delinquent: In civil or family cases, failing to pay an amount of money when due: In juvenile
cases, a child who violated a law, local ordinance, or an order of the Superior Court.
 Deposition: Testimony of a witness taken, under oath, in response to another party's questions.
Testimony given outside the courtroom, usually in a lawyer's office. A word for word account
(transcript) is made of the testimony.
 Detention Hearing or Detention Release Hearing: A hearing on the first business day after a
 juvenile is admitted to juvenile detention concerning the legality and appropriateness of
continued detention of the juvenile. The detention decision must be reviewed at least every
fifteen days.
 Discovery: A formal request by one party in a lawsuit to disclose information or facts known by
other parties or witnesses.
 Dismissal: A judge's decision to end the case.
 Dismissal Without Prejudice: A judges decision to end the case which permits the complainant or
prosecutor to renew the case later. In contrast, dismissal "with prejudice" prevents the
complainant or prosecutor to bring or maintain the same claim or action again.
 Dispose: Ending a legal case or a judicial proceeding.
 Disposition: The manner in which a case is settled or resolved.
 Dissolution: The legal end of a marriage, also called a divorce.
 Diversionary Programs: Community based programs that are used to keep eligible, convicted
criminal offenders out of prison.
 Docket: A list of cases scheduled to be heard in court on a specific day or week.
 Docket Number: A unique number the court clerk assigns to a case. It must be used on all future
papers filed in the court case. Each docket number starts with two letters that tell the type of
case. CI = criminal infraction; CR = criminal case; CV = civil case; FA = family case; MI = motor
vehicle infraction; MV= motor vehicle case; SC = small claims.
 Domicile: The permanent home of a person. A person may have several residences, but only one
domicile.
 Drug Court: A Special Session of the Superior Court that is responsible for hearing cases involving
charges of drug offenses.

E
 Education Program: A program for family violence offenders that, if granted and successfully
completed, results in dismissal of criminal charges (C.G.S. §46b-38c).
 Ejectment: A legal case filed against someone who is a holdover tenant (someone who remains
after the expiration of a lease).
 Electronic Monitoring: An electronic system that provides the Probation Officer or Bail
Commissioner a report about whether the offender has left home during the time when the
offender was required to remain at his or her home.
 Emancipated Minor: A person under the legal majority age of 18 who is granted most rights and
legal privileges of an adult (C.G.S.§46b-150, et seq.).
 Emancipation: The release of a youth from the legal authority and control of the youth's parents
and the corresponding release of the youth’s parents from their obligations to the youth.
 Eminent Domain: The legal process by which private property is taken for public use without the
consent of the owner.
 Eviction: Legally forcing a tenant out of rented property. (Housing Publications)
 Evidence: Testimony, documents or objects presented at a trial to prove a fact.
 Ex Parte: Done for, or at the request of, one side in a case only, without prior notice to the other
side.
 Execution Suspended: A prison sentence that is suspended in whole or in part provided certain
conditions of probation or conditional discharge are met by the defendant.
 F
 Failure to Appear: In a civil case, failing to file an Appearance form. In a criminal case, failing to
come to court for a scheduled hearing.
 Family Relations Counselor: A person who mediates disagreements and negotiates agreements in
custody, visitation and divorce cases. At the request of the judge, a family relations counselor
may evaluate a family situation by interviewing each parent and the children in the family. The
family relations counselor then writes a report for the judge, making recommendations about
custody and visitation. Works in the Family Services Office.
 Family Support Magistrate: A person who decides cases involving child support and paternity. Can
also enforce court orders involving paternity, child support and alimony.
 Family Violence Education Program: A program for family violence offenders that if successfully
completed, results in the dismissal of criminal charges.
 Family Violence Victim Advocate: A person who works with domestic violence victims to
determine their needs and inform them of their rights and resources available to them.
 Family With Service Needs: Also called FWSN. A family that includes a child, who (a) runs away
without just cause, (b) is beyond the control of his/her parents/guardian, (c) has engaged in
indecent or immoral conduct, and/or (d) is a truant or continuously defiant of school rules and
regulations.
 Felony: Any criminal offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of
more than of one year.
 Felony Murder: A murder committed while the person is also committing a felony.
 Filing: Giving the court clerk legal papers which become part of the case file.
 Financial Affidavit: Short | Long - A sworn statement of income, expenses, property (called assets)
and debts (called liabilities).
 Finding: The court’s or jury’s decision on issues of fact.
 Foreclosure: A court order ending the legal ownership of property.
 Foreman: An elected member of a jury who delivers the verdict to the court.

G
 Garnishment: A court order to collect money or property. For example, a garnishment may be
issued to an employer to pay part of an employee’s wages to someone else to pay a debt or
judgment.
 GA - Geographical Area: Geographical Area. The court location where motor vehicle and most
criminal cases are heard. There are 22 Geographical Areas in Connecticut.
 Grievance: A complaint filed against an attorney or judge, claiming an ethics violation.
 Guardian: A person who has the power and duty to take care of another person and/or to
manage the property and rights of another person who is considered incapable of taking care of
his or her personal affairs.
 Guardian Ad Litem: A person, usually a parent, appointed by the court to represent a child or
unborn person in a court case. If a family member is not available, a judge may appoint an
attorney.

H
 Habeas Corpus: A court order used to bring a person physically before a court in order to test the
legality of the person's detention. Usually, it is directed to the official or person detaining
 another, commanding him to bring the person to court for the judge to determine if that person
has been denied liberty without due process of law.
 Hearsay: Testimony given by a witness who tells second or third hand information.
 Honor Court: A program of outpatient group therapy for alcohol abusers.
 Housing Specialist: A person who provides pretrial mediation of landlord/tenant cases to reach
settlement. Also provides information about community resources to litigants.
 Hung Jury: A jury whose members cannot reconcile their differences of opinion and thus cannot
reach a verdict.

I
 Incarceration: Confinement to a state correctional institute or prison.
 Income Withholding Order: A court order to deduct child support or alimony payments from
someone's wages. All child support court orders must include an income withholding order unless
both parents ask the judge not to.
 Indigent: Someone without enough money to either support himself or herself or his or her
family. Someone who cannot afford to pay certain fees required by the court. (Civil, Family,
Housing | Juvenile)
 Information (the): In a criminal case, the formal court document in the clerk's file, which contains
the charges, dates of offenses, bond status, continuance dates and disposition.
 Infraction: A case where the fine may be paid by mail and usually the person does not have to
appear or come to court. For example, a speeding ticket. (Infractions Schedule)
 Injunction: A court order to stop doing or to start doing a specific act.
 Interpreter: The person who correctly translates court hearings from a second language to
English. An interpreter is provided at no cost to the person who needs the interpreter in all cases
where the person's life, freedom, children or housing are at risk of being taken away.
Interpreters are also provided for criminal and child support cases.
 Interrogatory: Formal, written questions used to get information from another party in a lawsuit.
 Investigatory Grand Jury: A judge, constitutional state referee or any three judges of the Superior
Court, appointed by the Chief Court Administrator to conduct an investigation into the
commission of a crime or crimes.

J
 Judge: A person who hears and decides cases for the courts. Appointed by the governor for a
term of eight years and confirmed by the General Assembly.
 Judgment: A court decision. Also called a decree or an order.
 Judgment File: A permanent court record of the court’s final disposition of the case
 JD - Judicial District: Connecticut has 13 judicial districts (JD) in which civil, criminal, family and
juvenile matters are heard. Civil jury, civil non-jury, administrative appeals and family matters
generally are heard in a JD courthouse.
 Juris Number: An identification number assigned to each attorney in Connecticut.
 Jurisdiction: Power and authority of a court to hear and make a judgment in a case.
 Juror: Member of a jury.
 Jury Charge: The judge's formal instructions on the law to the jury before it begins deliberations.
 Jury Instructions: Directions given by the judge to the jury concerning the law of the case. (Civil |
Criminal)
 Juvenile Court: Also called Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. A special division of the Superior
Court designated to hear all cases concerning uncared for, dependent children and youth and
delinquents. All juvenile court proceedings and case records are confidential and are not public
information.
 Juvenile Delinquent: A person under the age of 16 who commits a criminal act.
 Juvenile Detention: State facility to provide for the temporary care of a child who alleged to be
delinquent and who requires a physically restricted, secure environment.
 Juvenile Detention Center: A secure facility for juveniles operated by the Division of Juvenile
Detention Services of the Connecticut Judicial Branch, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 Juvenile Detention Officer: Also called JDO. A person who works within a Juvenile Detention
Center.
 Juvenile Matters: All cases concerning uncared for, neglected or dependent children and youth,
termination of parental rights of children committed to a state agency, matters concerning
families with service needs, contested matters involving termination of parental rights or removal
of guardian transferred from the Probate Court and the emancipation of minors. It does not
include guardianship or adoption cases, or matters affecting property rights of any child or youth
over which the Probate Court has jurisdiction. The Probate Court hears appeals concerning
adoption, termination of parental rights and removal of a parent as guardian are included.
Juvenile matters in the criminal session include all cases concerning delinquent children in the
state.
 Juvenile Probation: Placement of an adjudicated delinquent under the supervision of a juvenile
probation officer.
 Juvenile Transportation Officer: Also called JTO. A person who provides safe transportation
services for juveniles in custody.

L
 Law Librarian: Court staff who maintain legal reference and research materials for public use.
 Legal Aid or Legal Services: Free legal representatives in civil cases for income eligible persons.
Call 1-800-453-3320 to apply.
 Legal Custody: Relationship with a child created by court order which gives a person legal
responsibility for the physical possession of a minor and the duty to protect, care for and
discipline the child.
 Legal Separation: A court order describing the conditions under which two married people will
live separately.
 Lien: A charge, hold, or claim upon property of another as security for a debt.
 Lis Pendens: A pending lawsuit. Jurisdiction or control that courts have over property in a case
waiting for final disposition. A notice of lis pendens is filed on the land records.
 Litigant: A party to a case.
 Lockout: Illegally forcing a tenant out of rented property, usually by changing the locks on the
doors.

M
 Magistrate: A person who is not a judge but who is authorized to hear and decide certain types of
 cases. For example, family support magistrates hear cases involving child support.
 Mandamus: An order directed to a private corporation, or any of its officers, or to an executive,
administrative or judicial officer, or to a lower court, commanding the performance of a particular
act.
 Marshal: The persons responsible for courthouse security including the metal detectors at the
entrance of each courthouse and maintaining order in each courtroom. A marshal can also serve
(give copies of) legal papers to the other people named in a lawsuit.
 Mediation: A dispute resolution process in which an impartial third party assists the parties to
voluntarily reach a mutually acceptable settlement.
 Minor: A person under age 18, the age of legal majority.
 Misdemeanor: A crime that carries a maximum penalty of one year and/or a $2,000 fine.
 Mitigating Circumstances: Circumstances that may be considered to reduce the guilt of a
defendant. Usually based on fairness or mercy.
 Mittimus Judgment: Also called a Mitt. The formal document prepared by the court clerk to
present a convicted defendant in a criminal case to the Department of Correction for
incarceration.
 Modification: Request to change a prior order. Usually requires showing a change in
circumstances since the date of the prior order.
 Motion: Usually written request to the court in a case. Filed with the clerk’s office.
 Movant: The person who filed the motion, or request, to the court.
 Moving Party: The person making the request to the court in a case.
 Murder with Special Circumstances: A type of murder for which the penalty is life imprisonment
without the possibility of release. (C.G.S. 53a-54b and 53a-35a).

N
 Ne Exeat: A legal paper requesting that a person be required to remain within the jurisdiction of
the court (either through incarceration or posting of a bond.)
 Neglected Minor: A child or youth who has (a) been abandoned, (b) is being denied proper
attention, (c) is being permitted to live under conditions injurious to his/her well being, or (d) has
been abused.
 No Contact Order: A court order that prohibits contact by a defendant with a victim; can be
ordered by a judge, a bail commissioner, a probation officer or a parole officer.
 No Fault Divorce: The most common kind of divorce, where no one needs to prove that the
husband or the wife is at fault, or caused the marriage to end. Described as "broken down
irretrievably".
 Nolle: Short for nollo prosequi, which means "no prosecution". A disposition of a criminal or
motor vehicle case where the prosecutor agrees to drop the case against the defendant but
keeps the right to reopen the case and prosecute at any time during the next thirteen months.
The nolle is entered on the court record and the defendant is released from custody. If the
defendant stays out of trouble during the thirteen months, the case is removed from the official
court records.
 Nolo Contendere: It means "no contest". A plea in a criminal case that allows the defendant to be
convicted without admitting guilt for the crime charged. Although a finding of guilty is entered on
the criminal court record; the defendant can deny the charges in a civil action based on the same
acts.
 No Contest: A plea in a criminal case that allows the defendant to be convicted without admitting
guilt for the crime charged. Also called nolo contendre. Although a finding of guilty is entered on
the criminal court record, the defendant can deny the charges in a civil action based on the same
acts.
 Non-Suit: Vacating a case by the court, usually for failure to prosecute.
 Notarize: To formally complete a document by acknowledgement or oath.

O
 Oath: To swear/affirm to the truth of a statement/document.
 Office of Adult Probation: A division within the Judicial Branch. The primary responsibilities of the
Office of Adult Probation are to supervise persons placed on probation, to conduct investigations
for the court to provide background information on convicted offenders and to conduct eligibility
investigations for special programs.
 Order: A written direction of a court or judge to do or refrain from doing certain acts.
 Order to Detain: An order signed by a judge of the Superior Court authorizing admission of a
juvenile to a Juvenile Detention Center, pending a hearing on the next business day.
 Order of Detention (Detention Order): An order issued by a judge of the Superior Court finding
that there is probable cause that a juvenile committed an offense or a violation of a court order
and ordering that the juvenile be held in a Juvenile Detention Center or some alternative facility
until further order of the court.
 Orders of Temporary Custody: Also called an OTC. Court order placing a child or youth in the
short-term legal custody of an individual or agency authorized to care for juveniles.

P
 Parcel: A tract or a plot of land.
 Parenting Education Program: A mandatory program for persons involved in a divorce with
children or a custody or visitation case. Must be attended within 60 days of the return date on
the summons.
 Parole: Release from incarceration after serving part of a sentence.
 Parties: The people or legal entities that are named as plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) on legal
papers.
 Party: A person or legal entity that is named as a plaintiff or defendant on legal papers.
 Paternity: Legal fatherhood.
 Pendente lite order: A court order made before final orders are granted.
 Peremptory Challenge: The rejection of a prospective juror by the attorneys in a case, without
having to give a reason. State law defines the number of peremptory challenges available.
 Perjury: Making false statements under oath.
 Petition: A formal written request to a court, which starts a special proceeding. In juvenile court,
the legal document which specifies the complaint against the juvenile and/or family; it includes
the name, age and address of the minor and his/her guardian, as well as the statutory grounds
and facts upon which the request for the court intervention is based.
 Petitioner: Another word for plaintiff, the person starting the lawsuit.
 Plaintiff: The person who sues or starts a civil case, also called the petitioner or the complainant.
 Plea: An accused persons answer to a criminal charge. For example: not guilty; guilty; no contest.
 Plea Bargain: The agreement a defendant makes with the prosecutor to avoid a trial. Usually
 involves pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a lighter sentence.
 Pleadings: The court documents filed with the court by the parties in a civil or criminal case. For
example: motion to dismiss; motion for modification.
 Posting Bond: To pay the court ordered bond amount with cash or property.
 Post Judgment: Any request to a court or action by a judge after a judgment in a case.
 Practice Book: Contains the rules of court and forms which must be followed in all Connecticut
court cases. Available in all courthouse law libraries.
 Pre-Sentence Investigation: Also called PSI. A background investigation conducted by a probation
officer on a person who has been convicted of a criminal offense.
 Pretrial: In a civil case, a conference with a judge or trial referee to discuss discovery and
settlement. In a criminal case, a conference with the prosecutor, defense attorney and judge to
discuss the case status and what will happen next.
 Pretrial Hearing: Conference with attorneys to determine scope of possible trial with view toward
resolving issues through agreement.
 Probable Cause Hearing: A hearing held before a judge in criminal cases to determine if enough
evidence exists to prosecute. The probable cause hearing must be conducted within 60 days of
the filing of the complaint or information in Superior Court, unless the accused person waives the
time or the court grants an extension based on good cause.
 Probate/Probate Court: A court with limited authority to hear certain kinds of cases, such as
adoption, guardianship, mental health commitments. Not a part of the Superior Court system.
 Probation: When a convicted offender receives a suspended term of incarceration and is then
supervised by a probation officer for a period of time set by a judge.
 Probation Absconder: A person under probation supervision whose location is unknown, in
violation of the conditions of their probation.
 Promise to Appear: A type of non-financial bond where the defendant agrees to return to court
without giving cash or property.
 Pro Se: A Latin phrase meaning for "yourself"--representing yourself in any kind of case.
 Pro se Divorce: Do it yourself divorce - (en epañol).
 Prosecute: To carry on a case or judicial proceeding. To proceed against a person criminally.
 Prosecutor: Also called the state's attorney. Represents the state in a criminal case against a
defendant.
 Protective Order: A criminal court order issued by a judge to protect a family or household
member.
 Public Defender: An attorney appointed and paid by the state who defends a person in a criminal
case after the court finds that the person is indigent--financially unable to hire a private attorney.

R
 Ready: Means ready to start the trial or begin oral argument. Usually said by an attorney or party
in response to a judge calling the list of scheduled cases.
 Record: The pleadings, the exhibits and the transcript made by the court reporter of all
proceedings in a trial.
 Referee: Judges who reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 may be designated as Judge Trial
Referees by the Chief Justice and can hear and decide certain types of cases.
 Regional Child Protection Docket: A specialized court designed to hear complicated child
protection cases. One judge hears the case from start to finish. Located in Middletown.
 Regional Family Trial Docket: A specialized court designed to hear complicated family cases. One
judge hears the case from start to finish. Located in Middletown.
 Residential Treatment Programs: Programs that provide extensive drug or alcohol treatment on
an inpatient basis.
 Respondent: Another word for defendant; the person responding to a lawsuit. In Juvenile court,
the word refers to the person or persons named in a petition. When used in Practice Book Sec. 2-
29 through 2-62 the word "respondent" shall mean the attorney against whom a grievance
complaint or presentment has been filed or a person who is alleged to have been engaged in the
unauthorized practice of law pursuant to General Statutes § 51-88."
 Rest: To be done presenting the evidence in a case, as in "the plaintiff rests".
 Restitution: Money ordered to be paid by the defendant to the victim to reimburse the victim for
the costs of the crime. Generally making good, or giving the equivalent for any loss, damage or
injury caused by a persons actions. Often a condition of probation.
 Restraining Order: A civil court order to protect a family or household member from physical
abuse.
 Return Date: The date on which the 90-day waiting period for a divorce begins. Also, the date
that starts the countdown for things taking place in a case, including the deadlines for filing
certain papers, including the date by which the defendant should file an appearance. Nothing
happens in court on the return date and no one needs to go to court on the return date. The
return date is always a Tuesday in civil and family cases. In summary process (eviction) cases, the
return date is any week day, Monday through Saturday, except a holiday, usually 7 to 10 days
from the date the clerk signs the summons if the summons is signed by the clerk.
 Revocation Hearing: A hearing held before a judge to determine whether or not a person has
violated the conditions of probation. If there is a finding that a violation has occurred, the judge
may impose all or part of the original sentence.
 Rule to Show Cause: Summons compelling a person to appear in court on a specific date to
answer to a request that certain orders be modified or vacated.

S
 Seal: A court order closing a case file from public review, usually in cases of youthful offenders
and acquittal. Prevents the public from obtaining information on the cases.
 Senior Judge: A judge who reaches the age of 65, or who meets certain other requirements and
chooses senior status. Senior judges hear cases on a part time basis until they reach the
mandatory retirement age of 70.
 Sentences: The penalty imposed by a judge after the defendant is convicted of a crime. Sentences
can be: Concurrent - Multiple sentences will be served at the same time (i.e., sentences of 10
years, 8 years and 2 years - to be served concurrently - equal a total effective sentence of 10
years.) Consecutive - The sentences are served back-to-back. The same example above would
equal a total effective sentence of 20 years.
 Sentencing: When a criminal defendant is brought before a judge after conviction for ordering
the terms of the punishment.
 Sentence Modification: A defendant’s written application to the sentencing judge or court to
reduce the sentence at any time during the sentence. The judge conducts a hearing. If the original
 sentence was more than three years, the prosecutor must agree.
 Sentence Review: A defendant’s written application to a three judge panel to review the
sentence. Must be filed within 30 days after being sentenced with the court clerk. A review
decision can increase or decrease the sentence.
 Serious Juvenile Offender: A child who has been adjudicated by the juvenile court for a serious
juvenile offense.
 Serious Juvenile Offense: Certain criminal offenses listed in the Connecticut General Statutes,
which are crimes against persons, serious property crimes and certain drug offenses. A juvenile
charged with a Serious Juvenile Offense by police may be admitted to a Juvenile Detention Center
with a prior court order and may be released only by order of a judge of the Superior Court.
 Service: The legal method for giving a copy of the court papers being filed to other parties in a
case.
 Short Calendar: A list of cases in which hearing by the judge or magistrate is requested or
required.
 Slip Opinions: Opinions, or written decisions, of the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court that
are publicly released prior to their official publication in the Connecticut Law Journal.
 Small Claims: Civil actions to recover damages, or money, up to $5000.The rules of evidence are
relaxed and people often represent themselves instead of hiring an attorney.
 Special Sessions of the Superior Court: A program of the Judicial Branch where cases of a single
type are heard by the same judge through the entire case. For example: Drug Session; Tax
Session; Community Court.
 State Referee: A retired judge who presides over cases referred by the court with agreement of
counsel for both parties. Has full powers of an active trial judge.
 States Attorney: An attorney who represents the state in criminal cases. The prosecutor.
 Statute: A law enacted by a legislative body.
 Statute of Limitations: A certain time allowed by law for starting a case. For example, six years in
a contract case.
 Stay: Temporarily stopping a judicial proceeding.
 Stipulation: Also called a "stip." A written agreement by the parties or their attorneys.
 Subpoena: A command to appear in court to testify as a witness.
 Subpoena Duces Tecum: A legal paper requiring someone to produce documents or records for a
trial.
 Substance Abuse Education: A community based program for drug offenders that provides
education about the harmful effects of drug abuse and also supervises community service.
 Substitute Charge: In a criminal case, a charge that replaces the original charge by the prosecutor.
 Summary Process: An eviction case.
 Summons: A legal paper that is used to start a civil case and get jurisdiction over a party.
 Summons (Juvenile): A written notice issued by the court commanding a person to appear in a
court at a given date and time. A summons is issued to an individual charged or other party on a
petition or complaint.
 Support Enforcement Officer: A person who supervises child support payments and brings
parents to court to enforce child support orders. May also file legal papers to modify or change
child support orders.

T
 Testimony: Statements made by a witness or party under oath.
 Time Served: A sentence of incarceration equal to the amount of time a defendant has already
spent in state custody waiting for disposition of the case.
 Title: Legal recognition of the ownership of property, usually proven by a document.
 Tort: A civil injury or wrong to someone else, or their property.
 Transcript: The official written record of everything that was said at a court proceeding, a hearing,
or a deposition.
 Transfer: Assignment of a case to another court location by court order.
 Transfer Hearing: Juvenile Court hearing to determine whether a child, 14 or older, charged with
a serious juvenile offense should have his/her case transferred to a criminal court and be subject
to the same processes and penalties as an adult charged with the same crime.
 Trial De Novo: A new trial or retrial in which the whole case with evidence and witnesses is
presented as if no previous trial had been held.
 Trial Referee: An attorney appointed by the Chief Justice to hear any civil non-jury case where the
parties agree to use a trial referee and all the legal papers have been filed.

U
 Uncared For: Legal description of a child or youth who is homeless or whose home cannot
provide the specialized care which his/her physical, emotional or mental condition requires.
 Unconditional Discharge: A sentence in a criminal case in which the defendant is released without
imprisonment, probation supervision or conditions.
V
 Vacate: To cancel or rescind a court order.
 Venue: The court location.
 Victim Services Advocate: A person who assesses a victim’s needs and helps the victim
understand the court case, how to exercise their rights and how to access other resources.
 Visitation: A court order deciding the amount of time a non-custodial parent may spend with his
or her child, also called parenting time or access.
 Violation: An offense for which the only sentence authorized is a fine.
 Violation of Probation: Action or inaction that disobeys a condition of probation.
 Voir Dire: "To speak the truth." The process of questioning prospective jurors or witnesses about
their qualifications.

W
 Wage Execution: The process of deducting money from wages to pay a judgment. Also called a
garnishment or attachment.
 Wage Withholding: A court order to deduct child support or alimony payments from someone’s
wages. All child support court orders must include an income withholding order unless both
parents ask the judge not to.
 Witness: A person who testifies to what they saw, heard, observed or did.
 Writ: Legal paper filed to start various types of civil lawsuits.

Y
 Youth: Any person sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) years of age.
 Youthful Offender: The legal status of persons who have been arrested for a crime committed
when they were between the ages of 16 and 18 and who meet other requirements. All 16- and
17- year-old defendants are treated as youthful offenders, except those who have been charged
with certain felonies, have already been convicted of a felony on the adult docket, or have been
adjudicated as a serious juvenile offender. For defendants treated as Youthful Offenders, the
information and proceedings are confidential and do not become a part of the person’s criminal
record.